After a couple of false starts Disney's John Carter of Mars is set for a 2012 release and urgently looking for extras.

John Carter of Mars is a a stunning adventure epic set on the wounded planet of Mars, a world inhabited by warrior tribes and exotic desert beings. Based on the first of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom Series,” the film chronicles the journey of Civil-War veteran John Carter, who finds himself battling a new and mysterious war amidst a host of strange Martian inhabitants. he film is based on the first serial to feature John Carter, 1912's A Princess of Mars. Carter is an American Civil War veteran who is transported to Mars, here called Barsoom. Formerly an Earthlike world, it became less hospitable to life due to its advanced age: as the oceans evaporated, and the atmosphere thinned, the planet devolved into partial barbarism with the inhabitants hardened and warlike, fighting one another to survive. Barsoomians distribute scarce water supplies via a worldwide system of canals, controlled by quarreling city-states. The Martian atmosphere is maintained by a power plant. Carter rescues a humanoid Martian princess Dejah Thoris from the belligerent four-armed Green Martians, whose respect he gains for his superior strength and fighting ability. He enlists the Green Martians' assistance in winning a civil war, and saves Mars from destruction when its atmosphere plant malfunctions.

It's being directed by Andrew Stanton (who can be found on Twitter here> @6mman) and stars Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins. Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church, Polly Walker, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West and James Purefoy.Back in the 1940's, animation director Bob Clampett (director of Bugs Bunny and creator of Beany and Cecil) proposed a series of animated theatrical shorts adapting the John Carter of Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs (creator of Tarzan). This footage was the test reel for the studios. Apparently one major Hollywood studio was interested in producing these shorts, but changed their mind when they thought the concept might be to weird for some people.

Photography is currently underway in the UK before heading over to the Mojave Desert. This week an urgent casting call went out for muscular extras for scenes to be shot in Surrey.

Casting Collective are looking for:

Men under 45, with muscular gym fit bodies.Height between 5’8 and 6’3. Chest 38 to 46 Inches, with very good muscle definition.No tattoos. Skin tone has to be Caucasian, Olive, Asian or Mixed race.

Below is a pic tweeted by Jon Favreau (@jon_Favreau). It is a concept model of Woola from his earlier attempt to get John Carter to the screen. Previously he was lined up to direct John Carter.

For an explanation of what Woola is: Below is an excerpt from an early part of Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars

"SOLA: His name is Woola. The men of our tribe use them in hunting and war. He has been told to guard and protect you. He has also been told to prevent your escape. There is no faster creature in our world. And in a fight they can kill very quickly. Do not try to escape, John Carter. Woola will tear you to small pieces.

JOHN CARTER: I continued to watch the creature named Woola. I had already seen how the green Martians treated other animals. They were very cruel.

I thought, perhaps this beast can be taught to be my friend…much like a dog on Earth. I walked close to the creature and began speaking in much the same way I would speak to a dog or other animal on Earth.

I sat down next to him while I talked softly. At first he seemed confused. I believe the creature Woola had never heard a kind word.

For the next several days I gained the trust and friendship of Woola. In a few short days Woola was my friend and fierce protector. He would remain my loyal friend as long as I was on Mars."